Tentacle E Recorder - $349

scorsesefan said:
Just picked up my E recorder last night from BH. Initial impressions: Compact, robust little unit. Operation is simple and straightforward. App is very good and functional. Good sound quality with my Oscar lav, but the included mic has a decent amount of self noise (not unexpected I guess). The micro SD door design is a little wanky. The rubber sled that holds the sd card is rubbery, so it makes it a little awkward to insert/eject the card. No controls except record/stop and on/off can be accessed on the unit, so if you want to change the gain/bit depth, etc you need the app.. All in all looks like a winner. Feels good to by from a boutique company like Tentacle. Sort of like buying from Etsy instead of KMart ;)
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Agree. I just setup my three with the app without any issue. its amazingly quick, simple and easy to use. Used my cos 11's and it sounds great. No headaches with this product.
 
mico said:
Agree. I just setup my three with the app without any issue. its amazingly quick, simple and easy to use. Used my cos 11's and it sounds great. No headaches with this product.
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Did you get an adapter or were your Sanken's already wired TRS? The adapter for DPA's seems to be the only one available, even though they state
"Yet, if you still prefer to use your own mics, you can – we also offer a range of suitable adapters to give you the flexibility you’re looking for."
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on their own site and picture what appear to be at least five separate adapters.
 
Run&Gun said:
Did you get an adapter or were your Sanken's already wired TRS? The adapter for DPA's seems to be the only one available, even though they state on their own site and picture what appear to be at least five separate adapters.
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My cos11's were all ready wired with locking TRS. Is it the DPA $100 price tag for the adapter thats the issue? How about this:https://www.amazon.com/YPA-C4SE-2-Adapter-SENNHEISER-Microphone/dp/B006VR8LX4 or https://www.amazon.com/YPA-Microdot...H5ZF6AZ8QB8&psc=1&refRID=99AG5YD27H5ZF6AZ8QB8 or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...icrophones_da35_sennheiser_locking_3_5mm.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...rophones_da35b_locking_3_5mm_to_microdot.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...man_b2dconsr_B2D_Detachable_SR_Connector.html

I also have to add that I already dropped the track E. Its robust. No damage .Cant say the the same for my Tascan dr10 that I dropped and was useless. The zoom looks as plasticky as the Tascam.
 
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mico said:
My cos11's were all ready wired with locking TRS. Is it the DPA $100 price tag for the adapter thats the issue? How about this:https://www.amazon.com/YPA-C4SE-2-Adapter-SENNHEISER-Microphone/dp/B006VR8LX4 or https://www.amazon.com/YPA-Microdot...H5ZF6AZ8QB8&psc=1&refRID=99AG5YD27H5ZF6AZ8QB8 or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...icrophones_da35_sennheiser_locking_3_5mm.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...rophones_da35b_locking_3_5mm_to_microdot.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...man_b2dconsr_B2D_Detachable_SR_Connector.html

I also have to add that I already dropped the track E. Its robust. No damage .Cant say the the same for my Tascan dr10 that I dropped and was useless. The zoom looks as plasticky as the Tascam.
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Already being wired certainly made it easier for you.

Cost isn't the issue(actually the DPA adapters from Tentacle are only $39 US), it's finding adapters for other connector types. All of my wireless(and thus lavs) are Lectro. Right now it looks like the only way to use a lav wired for a Lectro transmitter(TA5F lav / TA5M transmitter) will be to have custom adapters made. And after having my share of custom cables made over the years, I'm guessing those will probably be $50-$100 a pop.
 
Run&Gun said:
Already being wired certainly made it easier for you.

Cost isn't the issue(actually the DPA adapters from Tentacle are only $39 US), it's finding adapters for other connector types. All of my wireless(and thus lavs) are Lectro. Right now it looks like the only way to use a lav wired for a Lectro transmitter(TA5F lav / TA5M transmitter) will be to have custom adapters made. And after having my share of custom cables made over the years, I'm guessing those will probably be $50-$100 a pop.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZAMA-MA504...334635?hash=item280d918dab:g:QqYAAOSwcBhWY6Qc

https://www.ebay.com/i/171376718565...MI4vqLiMfg7QIVDZezCh2RxAb6EAQYAiABEgJTm_D_BwE
 
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The app controls stop /record on all recorders recognized individually or all at once. Thats a thing of beauty. Plug in power can be turned off and I connected it to At4053B with Denecke 48v phantom power supply and the recorded sound was great.
 
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So how are people finding this recorder after a bit of longer term and wider scenario use?

I was planning to get one (and then more) to replace a fried Tascam dr10cs for my run and gun and micro-crew documentary work last year, but the delays in production meant I had to go a different route for some shoots. But still, very curious as it seems closest to what I want in a lav set up for my needs.
 
I have yet to try the Track E, but I love my three Sync Es, Tentacle makes good gear. I have not read too much negative about the Track E since it came out.
 
junct said:
So how are people finding this recorder after a bit of longer term and wider scenario use?

I was planning to get one (and then more) to replace a fried Tascam dr10cs for my run and gun and micro-crew documentary work last year, but the delays in production meant I had to go a different route for some shoots. But still, very curious as it seems closest to what I want in a lav set up for my needs.
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It's great -- I love my track E. No issues yet and I've paired it with an Oscar 802 and it sounds great. Be aware that US models have the headphone out disabled...
 
I haven’t used mine on a real shoot, yet, but in my testing, they are solid and incredibly simple to use, just like all of Tentacles products. And I was a little surprised at the included lav. It’s not bad at all. A lot of people think it’s an unbranded Sennheiser, based on its shape, size and sound.
 
scorsesefan said:
I spoke to Jules at Tentacle and they're taking a "wait and see" approach to Rode and Zoom's challenge of the Zaxcom patent. As you know they're a small company and the last thing they can afford is a lawsuit.
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It wouldn’t really benefit me that much since I already have a solution to feeding one lav into the Track E and wireless transmitter simultaneously, but it would be cool to have the headphone out jack enabled while recording and there are others whom it would help greatly. I’m sure it’s probably just a firmware/software update to change it.

I hope Zaxcom gets their teeth knocked out. Well, at least their two front ones...
 
Run&Gun said:
I haven’t used mine on a real shoot, yet, but in my testing, they are solid and incredibly simple to use, just like all of Tentacles products. And I was a little surprised at the included lav. It’s not bad at all. A lot of people think it’s an unbranded Sennheiser, based on its shape, size and sound.
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Interesting. I do still wish it shipped without a mic, I don't want to pay for another when I already have some. Ah well.

scorsesefan said:
It's great -- I love my track E. No issues yet and I've paired it with an Oscar 802 and it sounds great. Be aware that US models have the headphone out disabled...
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Good reminder! I live in New Zealand, but do sometimes get gear from the states (it's very very expensive here).
 
junct said:
Interesting. I do still wish it shipped without a mic, I don't want to pay for another when I already have some.
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Most included mics are subgrade when included with portable recorders and wireless systems to keep the price 'affordable'. An additional minimum of $130 (usd) should be factored in for a decent mic.
 
junct said:
Interesting. I do still wish it shipped without a mic, I don't want to pay for another when I already have some. Ah well.



Good reminder! I live in New Zealand, but do sometimes get gear from the states (it's very very expensive here).
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Rick R said:
Most included mics are subgrade when included with portable recorders and wireless systems to keep the price 'affordable'. An additional minimum of $130 (usd) should be factored in for a decent mic.
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Well, one of the things with the Track E's, they use locking TRS connectors. To me, at least, not exactly a ubiquitous connector, in my circles. I don't own any mics that are TRS(well, now I do since the Tracks came with them). All of mine are wired TA5F for my Lectro's. You have to either have custom cables built(I did) or order adapters on Amazon or eBay (from China)(at the time I was looking, delivery was like a month), since Tentacle doesn't sell anything except for the "micro dot" connector.
 
Rick R said:
Most included mics are subgrade when included with portable recorders and wireless systems to keep the price 'affordable'. An additional minimum of $130 (usd) should be factored in for a decent mic.
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Exactly. I don't want substandard mics that I'm paying an extra $30-$100 for. If i'm buy a usd $350 recorder I'm going to buy good mics to go with it (I use MKE-2 EW, which aren't exactly gold standard, but good enough for most things). I don't need extra mics, and being a mic that's thrown into the box it's probably got bugger all resale value. Not a big deal, but waste of money and resources nonetheless.

Run&Gun said:
Well, one of the things with the Track E's, they use locking TRS connectors. To me, at least, not exactly a ubiquitous connector, in my circles. I don't own any mics that are TRS(well, now I do since the Tracks came with them). All of mine are wired TA5F for my Lectro's. You have to either have custom cables built(I did) or order adapters on Amazon or eBay (from China)(at the time I was looking, delivery was like a month), since Tentacle doesn't sell anything except for the "micro dot" connector.
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Thanks for pointing that out - important to consider for sure.
 
I don’t really know anything about Sennheiser lav’s, but I read at least one review from a sound guy who is convinced the included lav is an ME-2. One of my guys said more or less the same, but I don’t recall the model number he said(may have been the same, maybe not).
 
The ME-2 is usually included with the Evolution SK-100 bodypack transmitter. Most audio pros would not consider it as a primary go-to mic. The reissue ME2-II may be better but I would not count on it.
 
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